Intake manifold

Abstract

The specification relates to an intake manifold having an increased compaction. In this intake manifold, at least one fragile zone is formed parallel to its longitudinal axis in its wall. Crash impact is absorbed and the volume of the intake manifold decreases after crashing, because its cross section is crushed. The intake manifold of this invention has an increased compaction and can prevent the structure around fuel injection valves from breaking.

I claim: 
     
       1. An intake manifold connectable to a forward-facing side of a transversely mounted engine, the manifold having at least one region of increased fragility relative to other regions of the manifold, the at least one region of increased fragility extending in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinally extending axis of the manifold. 
     
     
       2. The intake manifold of claim 1, wherein the at least one region of increased fragility extends over only a longitudinally central portion of the manifold. 
     
     
       3. The intake manifold of claim 1, wherein the at least one region of increased fragility extends over substantially the entire longitudinal length of the manifold. 
     
     
       4. The intake manifold of claim 1, wherein the at least one region of increased fragility comprises at least one flange extending generally parallel to the longitudinally extending axis of the manifold. 
     
     
       5. The intake manifold of claim 4, wherein said at least one flange is positioned at a right angle to a running direction of the automobile. 
     
     
       6. The intake manifold of claim 1, wherein the at least one region of increased fragility comprises at least one notch or groove extending generally parallel to the longitudinally extending axis of the manifold. 
     
     
       7. The intake manifold of claim 1, wherein the at least one region of increased fragility comprises at least one lap joint extending generally parallel to the longitudinally extending axis of the manifold. 
     
     
       8. The intake manifold of claim 1, wherein the at least one region of increased fragility comprises at least one seam extending generally parallel to the longitudinally extending axis of the manifold.